Durban & Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
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Durban & KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa MICHAEL MABUYAKHULU, MPP KWAZULU-NATAL MEC FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM DEAR MEETING PLANNER Durban and KwaZulu-Natal mainly through its international conference centre, ICC Durban, has successfully hosted a range of signifi cant conferences including: I am pleased to be associated with this the second edition of the KwaZulu-Natal • Microsoft Conference; Meeting Planner Guide. The provincial government of KwaZul-Natal is acutely • Sugar Cane Technology Conference - new technologies in the sugar industry; aware of the important impact which business event delegate spend can have • World Aids Conference ; on the economy of our province. However, we also realise that the impact of • World Congress of Surgeons; such events extends way beyond this simple fact. One of the core benefi ts of • International Society Haematology Conference; hosting such events is the actuality that it builds the knowledge and capacity • International Congress for Electron Microscopy; of our local population in important economic sectors and professional fi elds. • International Society of Chemotherapy; Another core benefi t of business events is that it stimulates leisure tourism and • International Statistical Institute Conference; further business event or tourism opportunities. Research has revealed that as • International Nurses Conference many as 20 - 40% of conference delegates that attend a conference and have • 5th World Parks Congress a stimulating overall experience of the destination in which it is hosted return • World Lottery Association Congress as leisure tourists and very often with their family and friends. In addition they • International Sociological Association Congress very often become key ‘word of mouth’ ambassadors for such regions which • World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and assist other potential leisure tourists and meeting and business delegates to Related Intolerance (WCAR) ultimately make up their mind to visit or use such a destination as a meeting • International Bar Association place. • 2007 FIFA Preliminary Draw for the 2010 Football World Cup; KwaZulu-Natal or an area which we fondly refer to as the ‘Zulu Kingdom’ an • 123rd Session of the International Olympic Committee Congress area renowned for its conservation efforts, natural attractions, pre-historical Durban also hosted one of the world’s biggest conferences, namely the and historical sites, can provide that distinctive overarching experience which United Nation’s Climate Change conference which attracted more than 18 000 modern meeting delegates are seeking. Some of its key natural attractions delegates to Durban at the end of 2011. Besides the ICC Durban, Durban and include the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park KwaZulu-Natal has many other conference facilities for meetings ranging from World Heritage Sites, game reserves such as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, South Africa’s 50 to 1000 delegates. It is also important to note that the Durban KwaZulu- oldest game reserve and where the white rhino was saved from extinction, Natal Convention Bureau in the fi rst 24 months of its existence have assisted and the Tembe Elephant Park, which reportedly has the biggest elephant in with the process of winning 31 bids and worth more than R1bn for the city Africa. The Drakensberg Mountains are also renowned for its rock art evidence of Durban and province of KwaZulu-Natal. The complimentary service which of the early San people or Bushmen, and this was one of the reasons why it this agency provides is at the full disposal of meeting planners and organisers was declared a World Heritage Site. Some of KwaZulu-Natal’s most fascination to ensure the success of business events such as a conference, exhibition or historical sites are battlefi elds of the like of Blood River, Isandlwana, Rorkes incentive tours. Drift, Talana, Colenso and Spionkop. KwaZulu-Natal also has a rich cultural mix, which ranges from the cultures of one of the biggest Indian population I am also pleased to report that the publication ‘Business Travel Destinations’ concentrations outside mainland India to the famous Zulu people. We are also together with ‘Visa’ credit card have awarded our province the prestigious title proud of our ‘Beach Culture’ a range of world class beaches, internationally of ‘Africa’s Best Business Tourism or MICE destination for 2012’. You therefore recognised surf spots and shark diving reefs. have no excuse but to bring your next meeting to the ‘Zulu Kingdom’. Meeting Industry Guide | 01 02 | Meeting Industry Guide CONTENTS CONTENTS HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This, the 2nd edition of The Meetings Industry Guide, Welcome ..............................................................................................................................................1 ensures that all your business tourism events and meeting/conference requirements are at your fi ngertips. Map .......................................................................................................................................................4 The various regions that make up KwaZulu-Natal namely Durban, The Midlands, Drakensberg, Zululand, Elephant Meeting Venues .................................................................................................................................7 Coast, South Coast, North Coast and the Battlefi elds are colour- coded for easy reference, and within each region, registered venues are promoted. So whether it be a bush, berg, beach or battlefi elds location that you are looking for, KZN destinations each provide a unique and memorable experience. This comprehensive business meetings planner also provides essential information on venues such as capacity and core characteristics to allow informed decision making. It also promotes professional service partners who are able to provide assistance with destination management, Durban 8 Pietermaritzburg/Midlands 21 conference planning and incentive tours. A detailed directory lists contact information for both venues and service partners. Further information on suggested itineraries for pre - and post tours, as well as relevant facts, statistics, sustainability and transportation make the guide a comprehensive and essential tool for meetings planners. DISTRIBUTION The Meetings Industry Guide is distributed at the Battlefi elds 26 North Coast 29 following national and international trade shows: · Meetings Africa (Jhb) · EIBTM (Barcelona) · IMEX Frankfurt · IMEX Las Vegas · AIME (Australia) · SETE (Durban) This guide is available electronically on www.durbankzncb.co.za and in print form. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PRODUCTION, DESIGN & LAYOUT Azalea Promotions South Coast 33 Ukhahlamba Drakensberg 36 PO Box 201288 Durban North, 4016 Tel: +27(0)31 564 3425 Email: [email protected] Designer: Lyn Grandemange EDITORIAL TEAM Tessa Buhrmann Nola Vignati PUBLISHER / ADVERTISING Jenny Du Preez Tel: +27(0)31 564 9069 Email: [email protected] Zululand 42 Elephant Coast 46 PHOTOGRAPHY Durban Tourism, Dave Sutcliffe (Battlefi elds) Service Partners ..............................................................................................................................52 Stephen Pryke Thula Thula (Rhino’s on the cover) Incentives and Teambuilding ......................................................................................................58 Shutterstock PRINTING Directory ...........................................................................................................................................63 Paarl-Media KZN Pre and Post Conference Tours ..................................................................................................84 Disclaimer Facts and Statistics ........................................................................................................................86 The Durban and KZN Convention Bureau is not responsible for the advertising content in this guide. Advertising remains entirely Sustainability ...................................................................................................................................88 at the discretion of the publishers Azalea Promotions. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of its Transport ..........................................................................................................................................90 content, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur. Meeting Industry Guide | 03 MAP BATTLEFIELDS NORTH COAST SOUTH AFRICA Renowned for its history of Zulu wars, Shaka, Isandlwana, The Zulu Kingdom’s North Coast, also known as the Rorke’s Drift, Colenso, Spioenkop, Ladysmith, Dundee, Dolphin Coast, stretches from Zimbali to the mighty Churchill and Blood River. Thukela River. DRAKENSBERG PIETERMARITZBURG & MIDLANDS The Zulu people named it ‘Ukhahlamba’ or the ‘Barrier Visited by the likes of Gandhi, Mandela and Twain, and of Spears’ and the Dutch Voortrekkers - ‘The Dragon known for the Comrades and Dusi Marathons, museums, Mountain’. art galleries, rolling hills, waterfalls and a special style of country living. DURBAN Durban is a sophisticated cosmopolitan city of over three SOUTH COAST KWAZULU- million people - a city where east meets west - a city Margate, Port Shepstone, Scottburgh, Port Edward, famous NATAL beneath which beats the pulse of Africa - a city known as for the Sardine Run, golf, whales, dolphins, the Oribi Gorge, the home of Africa’s best managed and busiest